SONGS/VIDEOS TO MAKE YOU FEEL PROUD – IN CELEBRATION OF PRIDE and LOVE EVERYWHERE!

In celebration of Gay Pride, Love and Positive Energy – I decided to share some music videos that have thought provoking messages, are relevant in terms of the songs message or simply make you feel like you want to dance.  Whether you identify as gay, straight, bisexual or transgender – let your true colours fly and do it without judging someone else’s authenticity.  Now let’s celebrate PRIDE by spreading love and positive energy into the world:

NOTHING REALLY MATTERS (REMIX) – Madonna

YOU DON’T KNOW – Cyndi Lauper

FEEL WHAT YOU WANT – Kristine W

FREE – Ultra Nate

POWER OF LOVE – Deee-Lite

PROUD – Heather Small

MODERN LOVE – Rupaul

A LITTLE RESPECT (HMI Redux) – Erasure

AFTER ALL – Billie Ray Martin

GLASS & PATRON – FKA Twigs

BRING THE NOIZE – M.I.A.

LIGHT IN PLACES – Peaches

LIVING FOR LOVE (Remix) – Madonna

Let music move you towards creating positive change in the world.  Allow LOVE into your heart and live with positive energy within your heart.

HAPPY PRIDE to everyone!!!

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT LOVE

What is love?  We all have ideas about what love is and how we are supposed to give and receive it but have we really taken the time and thought about how we love?  Poems are written about it, artists sing songs about it, movie plot lines revolve around finding and losing love – everyone has an opinion about love but most importantly, we all have experience the positive and negative aspects of being in love.

Here is the definition of love according to The Concise Oxford Dictionary (Ninth Edition):

•  An intense feeling of deep affection or fondness for a person or thing; great liking.
• Sexual passion.
• Sexual relations.
• A beloved one; a familiar form of address regardless of affection.

We all know and understand that there are different types of love but the feelings associated with that love are very similar.  Those feelings stir emotions and find their way to the deepest crevices of our minds and our hearts.  Here are some powerful quotes surrounding love from people of all walks of life:

“The conclusion is always the same.  Love is the most powerful and still the most unknown energy of the world.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” – Mother Teresa

 

“Keep love in your heart.  A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.” – Oscar Wilde

 

“New Age values are conscious evolution, a non-sectarian society, a non-military culture, global sharing, healing the environment, sustainable economies, self-determination, social justice, economic empowerment of the poor, love, compassion in action, going beyond religious fundamentalism, going beyond nationalism-extreme nationalism, culture.” – Deepak Chopra

 

“Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.  For love is the beauty of the soul.” – Saint Augustine

 

“I love dogs.  They live in the moment and don’t care about anything except affection and food.  They’re loyal and happy.  Humans are just too damn complicated.” – David Duchovny

 

“Love is a trap.  When it appears, we see only its light, not its shadows.” – Paulo Coelho

 

“I love argument, I love debate.  I don’t expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that’s not their job.” – Margaret Thatcher

 

“The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.” – Vincent Van Gogh

 

“A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.” – Mahatma Gandhi

 

“Your ordinary acts of love and hope point to the extraordinary promise that every human life is of inestimable value.” – Desmond Tutu

 

“Who could refrain that had a heart to love and in that heart courage to make love known?” – William Shakespeare

 

“If in my youth I had realized that the sustaining splendour of beauty of with which I was in love would one day flood back into my heart, there to ignite a flame that would torture me without end, how gladly would I have put out the light in my eyes.” – Michelangelo

 

“Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.” – Maya Angelou

 

“When I found somebody who I fell in love with, it made me feel different than I felt the rest of the day.  It was electrifying.  That’s what inspired the “Off to the Races” melodies.  That’s one of the times when you’re feeling electrified by someone else and they make you happy to be alive.” – Lana Del Rey

 

“To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.  To just give.  That takes courage, because we don’t want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt.” – Madonna

“The winds that sometimes take something we love, are the same that bring us something we learn to love. Therefore we should not cry about something that was taken from us, but, yes, love what we have been given. Because what is really ours is never gone forever.” – Bob Marley

 

Every one of us has their own idea or concept of what love is but, there is no denying that we all feel the same way in terms of how the power of love affects us.  The quotes above are perfect examples of how love differs in intensity based on what or who you are loving.

 

Together (and with love), we can make the world a more positive one!

 

LET LOVE REIGN

There are many musicians who have made an impact in pop culture.  Artists that were game changers in their respective genres like – Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Billie Holiday, The Supremes, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Mary J. Blige and Sade.  Today, not many artists have the same impact but have made stood considering today’s music is very generic.  In an era where hip/hop and rap rules, there have been leaders and followers.  Some of the artists making an impact today include – Rihanna, Beyoncé, Eminem, Lady Gaga and Drake.  But what of those artists that somehow fly under the radar and that have contributed brilliant music?  Such artists like – Faithless, Joi Cardwell, Billie Ray Martin, Roisin Murphy, The Knife, Deee-Lite, Oh Land, Robyn, Royksopp and Bjork.

Kristine Weitz – known as Kristine W, has been an active artist – mainly in the dance/club scene in North America.  Her first commercially released single, “Feel What You Want” was a success in Europe and became her first of 8 consecutive Billboard Club Play #1 hits.  Saying this, let’s take a look at her body of work.  As mentioned, Kristine’s first number one hit on a Billboard Chart, was “Feel What You Want”.  Since then, Kristine W has tallied 16 number one singles on Billboards Club Play Chart.  As of April 2015, Kristine W is currently in the top 5 artists with most number one’s on this chart.  Here is the current ranking of most number 1’s on Billboard’s Club Play

1. Madonna (44)
2. Beyoncé and Rihanna (22)
3. Janet Jackson (19) 
4. Mariah Carey and Donna Summer (17)
5. Kristine W and Jennifer Lopez (16)

For an artist who hasn’t had much airplay on commercial/pop radio, it’s pretty amazing to be in a ranking with such high-profile artist such as Beyoncé, Rihanna and the Queen of Pop – Madonna.  As a matter of fact, Kristine W was named Billboard’s # 3 artist of the 2000’s only behind Beyoncé and Madonna. 

In my opinion, Kristine W, has released one of the best pop/dance/electronic albums – Land of the Living.  This album is a perfect amalgamation of pop/jazz/club and electronic music.  Land of the Living is a powerful and passionate album that comes from the heart and a place of love.  It’s an album that has a message about perseverance, determination and becoming independent.  Land of the Living reinforces that the dance community is not only about beats, fun and drugs but that it cares about social issues and is as legitimate as the other genres in pop culture.

Here is a bit of background surrounding Kristine W’s releases:

• She has released 8 full-length albums:  Perfect Beat (1986, re-released in 1994), Land of the Living (1996), Stronger (2000), Fly Again (2003), The Power of Music (2009), Straight Up With A Twist (2010), New and Number Ones (2012), New and Number Ones Club Hits Part One (2013), New and Number Ones Club Hits Part Two (2014). 
• Has officially released 20 singles.
• All of her commercially released singles were # 1 singles on the Billboard Club Play Chart except, “I’ll Be Your Light” (2), “So Close To Me” (2), “Everything That I Got” (4) and “Love Come Home” (4).  “Love Come Home” war originally released in 1994 and did not chart.
• Her most successful charted single was, “One More Try” which hit Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and peaked at # 78.
• Her album “Straight Up With A Twist” includes jazz and chill out reinterpretations of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”, Donna Summer’s “On The Radio” and Eagles “Take It To The Limit”.  It also includes reinterpretations of her own classic hits, “Wonder of It All”, “Stronger”, “Some Lovin”, and “Feel What You Want”.

I have had the opportunity of seeing Kristine W each time she has come to the Toronto, Ontario Canada region and even met her on several occasions.  She really does give everything she’s got when performing and greeting her fans.  I am inspired of how hard she works to get her music out to her fans especially without the backing of a major record label. 

I continue to have much of her music on repeat on my phone, computer, home stereo and record player!  Yes, I revisit and play vinyl as often as I can – the music is so crisp and clear on vinyl.  It also provides that comforting ‘old school’ feeling of when the purchase of music was just as exciting as listening to it.  I have many favorite singles from all of her albums.  It’s hard to pick one song that is the best but, there is always one song I always go back to when I need motivation, inspiration and a reminder that LOVE can conquer anything.  That song is “Let Love Reign”.  Hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me.  Here are the lyrics, YouTube audio follows:

Let Love Reign  

There’s a kingdom that lives
Maybe it’s only in my mind
Where love reigns all the time
Do you believe? I still believe

Our brother’s sleeping all alone in the park
His head is resting on a pillow of hope
Then he says dance for me, he gives me smiles for free
He trades a joke for mine and the world is fine

And we let love reign
We reach out, don’t be afraid
Everything you do
It will be coming back to you
Let love reign

A rich man’s sitting on his velvet couch
His kingdom rains until he’s drowned in my dreams
And then he says sing for me, give me your song for free
I’d trade his soul for mine if I could only make him kind

And he would let love reign
We reach out, don’t be afraid
Everything you do
It’s coming back to you

There’s a kingdom of kindness where love is
And a rainbow will come with the rain’s kiss
And love remains when love reigns

Let love reign
We reach out, don’t be afraid
And everything you do
It will be coming back to you

‘Cause only love reigns
With my love reigns
Everything you do
Is coming back to you

I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns
I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns

I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns
I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns

I do believe
I do believe
I do believe
Let our love reign

 

This song is from Kristine W’s 3rd official release, Stronger (2000).  It also includes the hits, “Stronger”, “Clubland”, “Lovin’ You” and “All That Glitters”.  You can purchase all of Kristine W’s music by visiting her official site:  www.kristinew.com or via the iTunes store.   

 

We are all responsible for spreading love and positive energy into the world ensuring that LOVE will reign.

 

 

Top Images – Covers of Kristine W’s first album (Land of the Living) and second album (Stronger)

Bottom Images – NoH8 campaign photo and the cover of her latest single, 2014’s “Love Come Home” remixes all available via Kristine W’s website, www.kristinew.biz

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

 

MY KIND OF LOVE

LOVE – how do you feel and what do you think of when you say the word love?

The literal meaning of love, according to The Concise Oxford Dictionary, is as follows:

• an intense feeling of deep affection or fondness for a person or thing; great liking.
• sexual passion.
• sexual relations.
• a beloved one; a familiar form of address regardless of affection.

For me, my definition of love is as the Oxford Dictionary describes it above and more.  Love is relative to whatever it is you are speaking of.  You love your spouse or partner in a different way you love your pet or child.  You may love your siblings differently than you love your parents.  You love physical things differently than you love some the activities or hobbies you do. 

I love the passion I have for our environment.  I love the passion I have for our planet.  I love the passion that I have in speaking out for those who can’t speak for themselves – especially animals.  This kind of love is emotional and allows me to advocate for the things I am passionate about.  Can people invoke change without feeling a love for the specific thing they are passionate about?  I don’t believe you can be a poet, singer, environmentalist, care-giver, nurse, doctor, lawyer, etc., if you don’t have a love for those specific things.  I’m sure people don’t have a sense of loving for something they hate to do.

Can one really show another how much they really love them without it being a Shakespearian tragedy?  Absolutely.  Can you really capture the emotion of love?  Absolutely.  Many singer/songwriters/artists are very descriptive when describing love through their word and how they sing those words.  We have many references to how love makes people feel in the world or pop/rock.  There are many songs that express how powerful love and really capture the emotion of love such as; Celine Dion’s, If That’s What It Takes, Lionel Richie and Diana Ross duet, Endless Love, Sarah McLachlan, I Love You, and recently, Madonna’s, Living For Love.  

Sometimes, many of these songs are very effective and successful in bringing the songs intense emotions to video.  A perfect example of this is the song called, My Kind of Love by Emeli Sandé from her excellent album – Our Version of Events (2012).  Here are the amazing lyrics followed by the gripping video/song remix by Red One and Alex P and the original album version video:

My Kind Of Love

I can’t buy your love, don’t even try
Sometimes the truth won’t make you happy
So I’m not gonna lie!
But don’t ever question if my heart beats only for you
It beats only for you!

Know I’m far from perfect, nothing like your entourage
I can’t grant you any wishes, I won’t promise you the stars!
But don’t ever question if my heart beats only for you
It beats only for you!

Cause when you’ve given up,
When no matter what you do is never good enough,
When you never thought that it could ever get this tough,
That’s when you feel my kind of love!

And when you’re crying out
When you fall, and can’t pick you’re heavy off the ground
When the friends you thought you had haven’t stuck around
That’s when you feel my kind of love!

You won’t see me at the parties, I guess I’m just no fun
I won’t be turning up the radio
Singing baby you’re the one!
But don’t ever question if my heart beats only for you
It beats only for you!

I know sometimes I get angry, and I say what I don’t mean
I know I keep my heart protected far away from my sleeve
But don’t ever question if my heart beats only for you
It beats only for you!

Cause when you’ve given up,
When no matter what you do is never good enough,
When you never thought that it could ever get this tough,
That’s when you feel my kind of love!

 

And when you’re crying out
When you fall, and can’t pick you’re heavy off the ground
When the friends you thought you had haven’t stuck around
That’s when you feel my kind of love!

Cause when you’ve given up,
When no matter what you do is never good enough,
When you never thought that it could ever get this tough,
That’s when you feel my kind of love!

 

 

 

You can purchase My Kind of Love and other great songs by Emeli Sandé such as, Clown and Next To Me via iTunes.  To find our more about Emeli Sandé, please visit her official website:  http://us.emelisande.com/  Follow her on twitter:  @emelisande

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

LOVE IS ALL WE NEED

Television, radio, newspapers and magazines are so pre-occupied with reporting stories of hate, violence, gossip and negativity.  I understand the need to inform the general public of issues happening around the world but to do so 24 hours a day and 7 days a week – it’s too much!  Also – without outlets reporting unbiased and newsworthy stories, we would be unable to act to ensure a positive outcome is achieved.

Today…I want to focus on LOVE in music.  There have been so many songs written about love – most are usually about heartbreak due to relationships ending.  There are also many songs that celebrate the positivity of love and how love can make everyone feel great….here are some examples via song lyrics:

“Love is all we need
To make everything complete
If we try to live together and be happy
You and me are one and we’ve only just begun
So let’s make a new beginning have some fun”

Love Is All We Need – Mary J. Blige – from the album ‘Share My World’ released in February 1997.

“What is it that can make a lost soul found?
Love
And what is it that can make the coldest day seem warm?
Love
And what is it that can bring a smile through to strangers?
Love love love love”

Power of Love – Deee-Lite – from the album ‘World Clique’ released in August 1990.

“If you wear your feelings
the way you wear your clothes
Maybe people would believe
in what you’re saying,
Heaven knows, heaven knows “

Love Song – Kristine W – from the album ‘Land of the Living’ released in July 1996.

“When everyone else
Is more comfortable
Remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans
That have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same
But that’s not important
No freedom ’til we’re equal
Damn right I support it
I don’t know”

Same Love – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert – from the album ‘The Heist’ released in October 2012.

 

“There is no comprehension
There is real isolation
There is so much destruction
What I want is a celebration
And I know I can feel bad
When I get in a bad mood
And the world can look so sad
Only you make me feel good”

 

Love Profusion – Madonna – from the album ‘American Life’ released in April 2003.

 

 

“You’ll be given love, you’ll be taken care of
You’ll be given love, you have to trust it
Maybe not from the sources you have poured yours
Maybe not from the directions you are staring at
Trust your head around, it’s all around you
All is full of love, all around you
You just ain’t receiving, your phone is off the hook
Your doors are all shut”

 

Bjork – All Is Full of Love – from the album ‘Homogenic’ released in September 1997.

 

 

You can find love anywhere and everywhere, all you have to do is be receptive.  Open your eyes, open your mind and accept it. 

 

Love is on the radio, on the subway, in the park, on television, across the street or on the other side of the world, it is beside you and inside you….

 

***You can purchase all of the above songs by visisting iTunes or by visiting the official websites of each of the artists***

 

For more information about Mary J. Blige, please visit the official website – http://www.maryjblige.com/

 

For more information about Deee-Lite or Lady Kier, please visit – http://www.ladykier.com/

 

For more information about Kristine W, please visit the official website – http://www.kristinew.com

 

For more information about Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis, please visit the official website – http://macklemore.com/

 

For more information about Mary Lambert, please visit the official website – http://www.marylambertsings.com/

 

For more information about Madonna, please visit the official website – http://www.madonna.com/

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

WE ARE ALL ONE!

There is nothing complicated about ending discrimination in the workplace!  Whether the discrimination is against people of colour, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious beliefs – there is no place for it in the workplace.  So why are American companies finding it so difficult to end discrimination against the LGBTQ community in the workplace?  Could it be because many people still consider homosexuality a deviant behaviour and a choice people make?  Or is it simply because of peoples religious beliefs?

Writing as a human being who happens to be a homosexual, I don’t believe that I woke up one day and said, “I think I will try to have intercourse with a man today.”  I also didn’t ask for the constant bullying and verbal assaults by being called ‘faggot’, ‘gaylord’, ‘cocksucker’, ‘poof’, just to name a few.  I didn’t instigate it when a group of guys drove by and whipped bottles at me from their car just because I was walking in the ‘gay village’.  I would want to ensure this type of behaviour did not transfer into my work environment, why would I not be allowed this type of protection.

As a human being – I do my best to treat people as how I want to be treated; with respect, dignity and kindness, that isn’t too much to ask.  I give the same treatment that is given to me.  I can’t believe that so many people are still biased and show so much hate towards people who are no different than they are.  We may have different appearances but we are all derived from the same divine entity.  Religion is not the authority and should not dictate how a person should be treated.  You can’t ostracize women, people of colour, those who practice different religions or have different spiritual practices, homosexuals or anyone else who challenges religious ideologies – we should embrace this.  Engage in dialogue and come to a resolution that we are essentially the same and want to create positive change everywhere.  Those who feel different may have issues they need to resolve within themselves – racism, anger, fear, homophobia, etc.

The civil rights movement began because people of colour were being mistreated, disrespected and killed just because of the colour of their skin.  Rosa Parks didn’t sit at the front of the bus because her legs were tired – she sat at the front because she was tired of being treated as a lesser human than everyone else who wasn’t of colour.  Martin Luther King Jr., Mohammed Gandhi, Representative John Lewis, Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harriett Tubman and so many others were activists for peace, equality, justice and positive change.

Just like the civil rights movement, there have been many individuals who are directly and indirectly responsible in demanding equality for the LGBTQ community.  People like Barney Frank, Dan Savage, Michelangelo Signorile, Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde, Roseanne Barr, Madonna, Cher, Harvey Milk, Tony Reis, Rosie O’Donnell, Bob Brown, Sven Robinson, Li Yinhe, Rama Yade, Magnus Hirschfeld, Shaleen Rakesh, Arsham Parsi, Patria Jiménez, Nikolay Alexeyev, David Kato, Jeremy Bentham – these individuals, and so many more, have given so much (even their lives) to ensure that gays, lesbians, trans-gendered, bisexual and queer people are treated with equality, dignity and respect.

Try not to look at people based on their colour, gender, what they believe or who they love.  Judge them based on their actions and how they treat others.  Do they show compassion, are they respectful and non-judgmental and are they caring?  LOVE, COMPASSION and CARING are attributes that create positive change in the world so let’s start a REVOLUTION OF LOVE!

Together, we can make the world a more postive one!

DID YOU KNOW…SOME FUN FACTS and RECORDS

Have you ever wondered what/where the world’s tallest freestanding structure was or what the all-tim best-selling non-fiction book was?  Do you know what world destination is the most visited?  What of social media – do you prefer Facebook, Twitter or Google+ Well, look no further because I am about to share some of the answers with you now.

ANIMALS

Elephant

The oldest elephant ever was Lin Wang, an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), who died on 26 February 2003 aged 86, at Taipei Zoo, Taiwan.

Grandpa Lin, as he became known, carried supplies through the jungles of Myanmar (formerly Burma) for the Japanese army, during World War II. He was even taken prisoner by the Chinese in 1943. Lin Wang retired to the Zoo in 1954. The average age of an Asian elephant is 60 years.

Snake

The longest snake in captivity is named Medusa, she resides in Kansas City, Missouri USA and is 7.67 metres long or 25 feet, 2 inches.  She weighs 350lbs.

LITERATURE

The best-selling non-fiction book in the world is The Bible. 

Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci is the most expensive book ever sold – $30.8 million (sold in 1994).  Bought by Microsoft mogul Bill Gates.  A 72-page document (and therefore not a printed book), Codex Leicester is a collection of scientific writing and gained its named from Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester who bought it in 1719.  The journal covers theories on astronomy, water, rock, air, the moon and the heavens.

Sources:

http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2013/09/25/top-10-most-expensive-books-ever-sold/

MUSIC

Billboard HOT 100 Top Group – The Beatles

Billboard HOT 100 Top Female Artist – Madonna.  Madonna is also Billboard’s Hot 100 top female artists.  She has had the most top 10 singles, a total of 38.  She has sold over 305 million albums worldwide and is the best-selling female recording artist according to Guinness World Record.

Best Selling Digital Artist – Rihanna 

Sources:

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/8000/best-selling-female-recording-artist 

BUILDINGS/TOWERS

The tallest freestanding tower in the world is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The Burj Khalifa houses offices, residentials units and a hotel.  It measures 829.8 metres tall.

MOST TRAVELLED TO DESTINATION

Here are the top 5 most travelled to locations or destinations in the world (according to the Business Insider):

5.  Niagara Falls (22.5 million)

4.  Union Station, Washington D.C. USA (32.8 million)

3.  Central Park, New York City, NY USA (37.5 million)

2.  Times Square, New York City, NY USA (39.2 million)

1.  Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, NV USA (39.6 million)

FILM

The top 5 grossing films of all time are:

5.  Frozen (2013) – $1.2 billion

4.  Harry Potter and The Deathy Hallows Pt II (2011) – $1.3 billion

3.  Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) – $1.5 billion

2.  Titanic (1997) – $2.1 billion

1.  Avatar (2009) – $2.7 billion

TELEVISON

Here are the top 10 series finales in television history (US):

10.  Home Improvement – May 1999 (35.5 million)

9.  Family Ties – May 1989 (36.3 million)

8.  All In The Family – April 1979 (40.2 million)

7.  The Cosby Show – April 1992 (44.4 million)

6.  Magnum P.I. – May 1988 (50.7 million)

5.  Friends – May 2004 (52.5 million)

4.  Seinfeld – May 1998 (76.3 million)

3.  The Fugitive – August 1967 (78 million)

2.  Cheers – May 1993 (84.4 million)

1.  M*A*S*H – February 1983 (105.9 million)

http://www.etonline.com/tv/144979_10_Most_Watched_TV_Series_Finales_Ever_Gallery/index.html?page=MA==&itmCnt=MTg=

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook – Has approximately 1.15 billion users, 350 million photos are uploaded everyday and 751 million users access Facebook from a mobile device.

Twitter – Has approximately 500 + million users and approximately 20 million twitter accounts are fake.

Google+ – Has approximately 500 + million users of which 67% are male.

Pinterest – Has approximately 70 + million users of which 64% are female.

Instagram – Has over 130 million users and MTV is the most followed with over 1.2 million followers.

Linkedin – Has over 238 million users.

Technology has allowed the world to come together to witness some of the most amazing things in the world.  We have witnessed triumphs and tragedies across the world.  Revolutions were organized using social media.  We are able to receive instant messages of events happening across the oceans and throughout the universe.  With all the milestones we have witnessed – imagine the great things to come and the potential to create positive change around the world by sharing, following, favoriting, pinning and liking.

Together we can make the world a more positive one!

 

TAKE ME TO CHURCH

I am a big fan of music in its various formats and genres; some pop, rock, alternative, country, reggae, dance, house and electronica.  Some of my favourite artists come from the house music/electronica genre like; Depeche Mode, Erasure, Kristine W, Ultra Nate, Madonna, The Human League, OMD, Billie Ray Martin, Massive Attack and Tricky – just to name a few. 

The artists I named above have been instrumental in providing the ‘soundtrack to my life’ some more than others but one artist that has been consisted in providing music that has deeply resonated with me and the events of my life has been Sinead O’Connor.  Ever since I heard her captivating voice as it softly sang the first verse of her underground alternative hit “Troy” form the ground-breaking album The Lion and the Cobra:

“I’ll remember it
And Dublin in a rainstorm
And sitting in the long grass in summer
Keeping warm
I’ll remember it
Every restless night
We were so young then
We thought that everything
We could possibly do was right
Then we moved”

I was hooked right from the beginning – her voice was soft gentle and passionate at the start of the song but strong, defiant by the end.  Since then, Sinead O’Connor has released albums that transcend all music genres from pop to reggae and topics ranging from love, religion and spirituality. 

Due to Sinead’s outspoken nature and personal issues stemming from a troubled home-life and abuse endured by the hands of her mother, Sinead’s music career went from over-night success via her Prince-penned hit single, “Nothing Compares 2 U”, to becoming ostracized for making a very courageous statement about the Catholic church and their sexual abuse scandals.  

Sinead’s latest effort is entitled;  I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss.  Her latest single, “Take Me To Church” is a rebirth of sorts.  Sinead sings about not having regrets in being the woman she used to be and living authentically as  the woman she is today.   Here are the lyrics, followed by the video:

TAKE ME TO CHURCH

I don’t wanna love the way I loved before,
I don’t wanna love that way no more
What if I’ve been right and lost some storm?
I don’t want to write them anymore
I don’t wanna sing them the way I sang before
I don’t wanna sing that way no more,
What if I’ve been singing love songs before?
I don’t wanna sing them anymore,
I don’t wanna be that girl no more
I don’t wanna cry no more
I don’t wanna die no more
So get me down from this old tree,
Cut the rope and all from me
Sat me on the floor,
I’m the only one I should adore!

Take me to the church,
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Take me to the church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
Yeah, take me to church
Yeah, take me to church
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah, get me to church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth

I’m gonna say souls of love and unforgiven ??
Sons of living, sons of calling in the night
It’s time to rise above the light
And love the only one you shouldn’t bite
??
So get me down from this old tree,
Cut the rope and all from me
Sat me on the floor,
I’m the only one I should adore!

Take me to the church,
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah take me to the church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
Yeah, take me to church
Yeah, take me to church
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah, get me to church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth

(O’Connor/Reynolds/Kearns)

Many critics are saying that Sinead is back in top form and that the album is a great ‘come-back’.  For me, it isn’t a come-back album because I have enjoyed much of her under-rated work such as the amazing works of Universal Mother, Gospel Oak EP, the glorious Faith and Courage and the fantastic How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?  If you haven’t been honoured in listening to any of her music after her so-called ‘break-down’, I would recommend opening your mind and your heart and taking the musical and emotional journey of what Sinead’s music and lyrics can provide you.

For more Sinead’s discography, tour and other information, please visit her official website at:  www.sineadoconnor.com or like her Facebook page.  You can purchase Sinead on the iTunes store via:   http://www.apple.com/itunes

I am grateful for her music and wish her much peace, love and health because that is all her music has given me. 

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

SONGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

There is nothing like music to change your mood.  Music makes you scream, shout and dance!  Music is inspiring and can change your mood thereby changing your health.  Moving and dancing to music gets the blood flowing and helps to reduce fat – possibly creating a physical change.  It can also be calming and thought-provoking providing bringing balance to your emotional state.

Here is a list of songs that make I love singing  aloud to and make me really happy (in no particular order):

MADONNA – Holiday

www.madonna.com

From the self-titled album:  MADONNA, released July 27, 1983.

SADE – Kiss of Life

www.sade.com

From the album:  LOVE DELUXE, released November 1, 1992.

ERASURE – A Little Respect

WELCOME

From the album:  THE INNOCENTS, released April 18, 1988

GLORIA GAYNOR – I Will Survive

www.gloriagaynor.com

From the album:  LOVE TRACKS, released November 27, 1978

ELTON JOHN/THE ELTON JOHN BAND – Philadelphia Freedom

www.eltonjohn.com

Released as a single on February 24, 1975

FLEETWOOD MAC – Dreams

www.fleetwoodmac.com

From the album:  RUMOURS, released February 4, 1977

ULTRA NATE – Free

www.ultranate.com

From the album:  SITUATION CRITICAL, released April 27, 1998

DEPECHE MODE – It’s No Good

www.depechemode.com

From the album:  ULTRA, released April 14, 1997

DONNA SUMMER – On The Radio

www.donnasummer.com

Released as a single on November 23, 1979

KRISTINE W – I’ll Be Your Light

www.kristinew.com

From the album:  FLY AGAIN, released in 2003

DEEE-LITE – Power of Love

www.ladykier.com

From the album:  WORLD CLIQUE, released August 7, 1990

LADY GAGA – Fashion

www.ladygaga.com

From the album:  ARTPOP, released November 6, 2013

CYNDI LAUPER – Shine

www.cyndilauper.com

From the album:  SHINE, released only in Japan May 3, 2004 (EP and remixes) released in USA May 2002

For more information about each of these artists (link included below each video/audo post – please visit their respective websites.  To purchase any of these songs or album, please visit their websites or iTunes.

Let music move you emotionally and physically…..but most of all….HAVE FUN!!!!

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

HEY YOU

Hey, you, don’t you give up
It’s not so bad
There’s still a chance for us

Hey, you, just be yourself
Don’t be so shy
There’s reasons why it’s hard

Keep it together, we’ll make it all right
Our celebration is going on tonight
Poets and prophets, what ending would we do?
This could be good, hey, you

Hey, you, open your heart
It’s not so strange
You’ve got to change this time

Hey, you, remember this
None of it’s real including the way you feel

Keep it together, we’ll make it all right
Our celebration is going on tonight
Poets and prophets, what ending would we do?
This could be good, hey, you

Save your soul, little sister
Save your soul, little brother

Hey, you, save yourself
Don’t rely on anyone else

First love yourself
Then you can love someone else
Then you can change someone else
Then you have saved someone else

But you must first love yourself
Then you can love someone else
Then you can change someone else
If you can change someone else
Then you have saved someone else
But you must first

Hey, you, there on the fence
You’ve got a choice
One day it will make sense

Hey, you, first love yourself
Or if you can’t
Try to love someone else

Keep it together, we’ll make it alright
Our celebration is going on tonight
Poets and prophets, what ending would we do?
This could be good, hey you

First love yourself
Then you can love someone else
Then you can change someone else
Then you have saved someone else

But you must first love yourself
Then you can love someone else
Then you can change someone else
If you can change someone else
Then you have saved someone else
But you must first

“Hey You” Written and performed by MADONNA

 Together, we can make the world a more positive one!